In a landmark achievement for Indian cricket, the women’s national team clinched their first-ever ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a thrilling final at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium. The victory, witnessed by a jubilant crowd of 40,000 fans, marks a significant milestone in the history of women’s cricket in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the team’s exceptional performance, describing the win as ‘historic’ and a source of inspiration for future generations. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a reward of 510 million Indian rupees ($5.8 million) for the triumphant squad. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed hope that this victory would serve as a turning point for the women’s game in the cricket-crazy nation. The triumph is being compared to the Indian men’s team’s iconic 1983 World Cup win, which revolutionized the sport in the country. Cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Mithali Raj also celebrated the victory, emphasizing its potential to inspire young girls across India to pursue cricket. The win comes after years of near-misses, including heartbreaking losses in the 2005 and 2017 finals, and a challenging tournament journey that saw the team overcome three consecutive defeats to reach the semifinals. This victory not only cements India’s place as a global cricketing powerhouse but also heralds a new era for women’s cricket in the country.